Sage Herb

Sage Herb – Salvia Officinalis

Common or garden sage (Salvia Officinalis) is one of the best known herbs.

There are about nine hundred different salvia species.

Many of the salvias are breathtaking when flowering.

The garden sage has beautiful purple-blue flowers. Sage is an evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean countries, but now grown in many parts of the world.

Sage grows best in a sunny place and well-drained soil.

These plants should not be fertilized.

Sage Herb Uses

Sage is a popular culinary herb in Italy. In French cooking sage is hardly used. Sage has a strong flavor and only small amounts are needed in cooking especially in long cooked dishes. Sage is obviously used in the English sage Derby cheese and the American sage cheese.

The sage herb tastes great with fatty food dishes like duck and pork. It is also great with red meats. It is often used in tomato sauces.

Whole sage leaves tastes wonderful when grilled with meat or fish. Do try it at your next barbeque party. Deep fried sage leaves are sometimes used as a garnish.

One story tells that thieves who robbed people who died from the plague used this special mixture and therefore did not get sick themselves. Those who were caught were forced to relieve their secret remedy to avoid punishment.

« He who would live for aye (forever), must eat sage in May. » Old English Proverb